What’s on this week: 25 to 31 October

It’s all Latino Halloween vibes in the Marolles with Día de Muertos providing grinning skulls, colourful costumes, parades, themed workshops and talks, concerts and even a cemetery walk accompanied by music. There’s also plenty of kids and family activities to keep los niños entertained. Don’t miss a jam session with Le Son jarocho (pictured) from Mexico on Saturday evening, accompanied by hot chocolate and Mezcal. On Sunday evening, the grand parade leaves from Place du Jeu de Balles at 19.00 and is followed by a surprise concert at Parc des Brigittines. 28 October to 2 November, across the Marolles

Every Halloween, the Museum of Fantastic and the Center of Fantastic Art is transformed into a scary house. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore its unusual collection via puzzles to solve and earning a witchcraft certificate. Until 3 November 14.00-17.00 (last entry 16.00), Rue Américaine 7 (Saint-Gilles)

Les Mystères d’Halloween invites four to 14-year-olds to help police track down a demon who has infiltrated the house of the dead. The municipal greenhouses in Josaphat park have been transformed into both a haunted house and a detective scene. Organised by the Enfance et famille service, the entrance price for the activity is €7 for participants aged four to 14; free for under 4s and accompanying adults. Registration necessary. 26 October 16.30-19.30 (for younger detectives); 19.30-22.30  (for a spookier experience), Boulevard Lambermont 411 (Schaerbeek)

This premiere of English-language rock-horror musical Night Quintet is perfect for Halloween. Five strangers awaken to find themselves trapped in a room with no memory of how they got there. As they struggle to piece together their past, the clock ticks down, and they soon discover that they are not alone. The original musical is filled with chilling melodies, heart-stopping suspense and unexpected twists at every turn. Who will make it out alive? 31 October 15.00-17.50, Théâtre Marni, Rue de Vergnies 25 (Ixelles)

It’s scary movie time! Join fellow horror film fans at the Kinepolis Halloween Night in theatres across the country for screenings of four terrifying titles: The Substance, Heretic, Azrael and Terrifier 3. Snacks, drink and surprise goodie included in entrance ticket. Recommended for 16 years and up. 31 October 20.00-5.00

Ward off the evil spirits by partying all night at Hangar’s Halloween Rave at Brussels Gate in Groot-Bijgaarden, just west of the capital. The all-night electronic music fest in a former industrial warehouse boasts an underground vibe and a full line-up of international DJs, including French house & disco star Folamour on the decks on Thursday and BICEP with their brand-new CHROMA AV/DJ on Friday. Warning: tickets are selling out fast! 27-28 October 20.00-4.00, Alfons Gossetlaan 9

The Hindu festival of lights is celebrated by Indians the world over, and everyone is invited to the Atomium for the open-air Brussels Diwali Festival. At the biggest Diwali party in Europe, you can dance to folk and Bollywood music, sample authentic regional dishes, enjoy live music, a diversity fashion show, meditate at the temple and find plenty to entertain the kids. Entry is free, and there are fireworks. 26-27 October 12.00-22.00, Place de l’Atomium 1

Get your geek on at Comic Con Brussels this weekend at Tour & Taxis. The pop culture celebration boasts a massive line-up of more than 25 star guests and comic artists. As ever, the Geek Market will prove a major attraction with an even bigger offer of collectibles, cards, games, vintage toys, clothing and more. Among the entertainment specials are a life-size Tie-fighter in an abandoned train station, a geek speed dating sessions, moviecars, free retro-gaming and wrestling. Perfect your cosplay and book your place now! 26-27 October, Avenue du Port 86C

Explore culinary traditions at Brussels’ hidden gem – the charming Musée bruxellois du Moulin et de l'Alimentation in Evere. Set in a former working mill, whose history is explained in a permanent exhibition, and offering all-round opportunities to bake or cook, the Taste and traditions exhibition investigates the link between celebrations and feasting – detailing what people eat and why at special times of life or of the year. Why do people spray champagne, or eat wedding cake, sugared almonds, speculoos for Saint Nicolas and turkey at Christmas? All is revealed in a fun and interactive way. Until 29 August 2026, Rue du Moulin à Vent 21 (Evere)

In May this year, only eight days in Belgium were rain-free. How do sewage systems cope with all this and what solutions exist to manage rainwater more sustainably? These are key themes tackled in After the rain at the Sewer Museum which, integrated into the museum’s permanent exhibition and sewer trail – urges us to see rain throughout history as a valuable resource instead of as a challenging nuisance. Complete with beautifully rainy photographs by Brussels-based Eric Ostermann and a special ‘best rain photo’ competition, the exhibition also includes augmented reality experiences to help explain the effects of global warming, floods and drought. Until 22 June, Porte d’Anderlecht

Book now The Bridge Theatre’s Radiant Vermin Don’t miss the Brussels’ pro theatre troupe’s upcoming autumn production: an outrageous black comedy about a young couple who are offered a way out of the housing crisis, and the lengths to which they are willing to go for it. Written by Philip Ridley and directed by André Agius, the provocative satire features West End actors Matilda Tucker and Santino Smith, alongside TV-personality and Drag Queen Sederginne. 5-23 November, La Tricoterie, 158 Rue Théodore Verhaegen

Outside Brussels

As darkness sets in, this Walloon château sparkles with illuminations and a fiery show that plunges audiences into the world of classical music. Listen to strains by Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel, Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Chopin at Bioul on Fire, a promenade tour in the estate’s grounds with fire-themed artistic displays and installations. The château, which is also a reputed wine domain, lays on drinks and refreshments in its enchanting nocturnal setting. 30 October to 2 November, 17.30, 18.30, 19.30 & 20.30, Château de Bioul, Avenue de Vaxelaire 1, Bioul (Namur province)

Belgium’s Euro Space Center invites everyone to Mystery Moon, an alternative Halloween experience that’s a poetic and atmospheric dive into the fascinating world of the Earth’s satellite. Under a starry sky, the Moon will reveal its secrets via artistic performances – from illuminated jugglers and dancers to contortionists and magicians – as well as interactive workshops and the immersive spectacle Show me to the Moon. Entrance tickets also provide access to Spationaut Day activities. For info, the centre is located alongside the E411 motorway. 29 October 18.30-23.30, Rue devant les Hêtres 1, Transinnes (Luxembourg province)

As darkness sets in, the Halloween Mystery Forest at Durbuy’s Adventure Valley comes alive. This audiovisual show set along a 2km trail is dotted with different ‘scare zones’ where an army of strange and terrifying creatures will make an appearance. As the night advances, the scare factor also increases. But fear not, each fright area can be bypassed if you prefer a gentler experience. Until 2 November, Adventure Valley, Rue du Rome 1, Durbuy (Luxembourg province)

Flanders’ two big amusement parks are all about Halloween this week. Plopsaland in De Panne is a Halloween dream for littler kids, who can dress up and interact with the park’s characters and visit the “not too scary” haunted house. There are also loads of special shows featuring Studio 100 characters. The holiday is also celebrated in the smaller Plopsaland parks in Hasselt, Antwerp and Stavelot. On the other side of the country, Bobbejaanland takes a far creepier approach with several haunted houses with names like Alice in Horrorland and Texas Butcher. Four themes zones drop you in the midst of the Day of the Dead, say, or killer monkeys. Until 3 November

No city does Halloween quite like Blankenberge. Its seaside location adds to the holiday feel of its weeks of spooky surprises like a haunted house, a creepy carnival, a spectacular light parade, fire performances on the beach, pumpkin carving and the big costume party at the Casino for the whole family. That includes a family parade in which all kids – who are dressed up! – can take part. Until 31 October, across Blankenberge

Check out Pinned! Contemporary Jewellery from Antwerp to get a rare glimpse of a private jewellery collection. It belongs to art collector Dirk Schrijvers and consists of more than 200 pieces spanning 25 years and mostly made in Antwerp. The 60 designers of the pieces are a who’s who of fashion and jewellery design, including Dries Van Noten, Wouters & Hendrix and Nadine Wijnants. 25 October to 21 April, Diva Museum, Suikerrui 17, Antwerp

Kids aged four to 11 can bop away the day at Big Bang Antwerp, an international music festival just for them. Not only can they listen and dance, they can learn about how music is made – and make some music themselves. 25-26 October, deSingel, Desguinlei 25, Antwerp

Planckendael animal park is launching its light festival earlier this year to brighten things up as the days get shorter. In the Scandinavian-inspired Dragons of the North, all kinds of mythical figures will glow and blink and shine. You’ll meet trolls, elves, a howling werewolf, a four-metre-high phoenix and of course the title characters – who are destined to steal the show. 25 October to 5 January, Leuvensesteenweg 582, Mechelen

Perfect for the school holidays, SparkOH’s new exhibition Cosmos provides a chance to explore the Solar System, its galaxies and the immensity of the Universe. The mysteries of stars, black holes and planets are unravelled via interactive experiences, monumental installations, astronomical instruments and video reports (almost) live from space. Icing on the cake – this exhibition is just one of 17 to enjoy in this massive museum. As well as explaining Planet Earth’s intricacies through exhibits and experiments on light, the elements, the body and health, future jobs and sport, this buzzing scientific paradise also features an indoor tree climbing trail and a delightful biodiversity garden. Rue de Mons 3, Frameries (near Mons)

Meet such famed writers as Jean-Baptiste Andrea (Ma Reine, Devils and Saints), Ariana Harwicz (Die, My Love – soon to be a major motion picture!) and Earth to Moon author Moon Unit Zappa (also an actor, comedian, artist, podcaster and tea merchant). There are many more Belgian and international artists on the bill of the Crossing Border literature and music festival. The Dutch-language writers will speak Dutch, the rest English. As for the music part, that’s pretty local with Fela Kuti Celebration Band, Few Bits, Roufaida and more. 31 October 18.00-2.00, Arenberg, Arenbergstraat 28, Antwerp

Explore technology through a series of creative performance arts in the Impact Forum at the Théâtre de Liège and locations around the city. This invitation to discover new forms of expression, new identities features in this year’s edition, which is themed ‘After the World’. The event’s opening focuses on the vibrant art scene of South Korea with performances including Dragon, a choreography by Eun-Me Ahn that draws on Asian culture to create a new form of the symbolic and mythical creature that is relevant for today’s society.  26 October to 8 November, Place du Vingt-Août 16 and other venues, Liège

Hainaut is rich in contemporary art and artistic talent, currently being celebrated at La Louvière’s MiLL museum. Hainaut Plastic Arts Prize 2024 offers viewers everything from video installations to visual art, photos to film. The winner is awarded €2,500 for their art project with this year’s exhibition showcasing French multimedia artist Nina Tomàs. A 2023 candidate for the Prix Médiatine for young Belgian artists or artists living in Belgium, she created the enchanting Candy Floss Planet series. Downstairs, visit the monumental sculptures of Romanian genius Idel Ianchelivici. His work The Diver, towering over the Meuse near Liège’s science museum, is an icon. Until 5 January, Place communale 21, La Louvière

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: Big Bang ©Karolina Maruszak; Dragons of the North ©)Jonas Verhulst